Picking a Postpartum Pill

Lactation and birth spacing are both important to maternal and infant health; however, postpartum use of combined oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) has met with concerns about adverse effects on breast-feeding. In a double-blind trial, U.S. investigators randomized 127 women who were breast-feeding at 2 weeks postpartum to progestin-only OCPs or combined OCPs. At 2, 4, and 6 months, breast-feeding continuation was assessed.

At 2 weeks and 2 months postpartum, women in both groups reported similar milk supplies and satisfaction with breast-feeding and OCP use. However, at 6 months, fewer than half were still breast-feeding. Breast-feeding continuation did not vary by type of OCP. Notably, women in the progestin-only OCP group were as likely as …